and despite that, john boehner believes that a solution is possible. take a listen. >> i've outlined a framework for how both parties can work together to avert the fiscal cliff without raising tax rates. if you've look closely at what the president had to say and look closely at what i've had to say, there are no barriers here to sitting down and beginning to work through this process. >> when it comes to those tax hikes, though, the president saying that 98% of americans would not see their taxes go up, that 97% of small businesses would not be impacted at all. he does see some room there to close loopholes for some tax reforms but he doesn't believe that that's enough to make up that trillion dollars, and that the math simply doesn't add up. so what the president wants is a comprehensive plan so that middle-class americans are not hurt. zoraida? >> let's move on to the heated back and forth over u.n. ambassador susan rice. republican senators john mccain and lindsey graham say they would actually try to block rice from being promoted to secretary of